Necktie knot-holding device

ABSTRACT

According to one aspect of this invention, a device having two portions designated as a head portion and a tail portion is provided for maintaining a knot in a necktie. The tail portion of this device is longer than the head portion and is flexible. The head portion, in this aspect of the invention, may assume various configurations, and may be either rigid or flexible. Said device is insertable in the necktie knot before the latter is tightened; and when inserted in the knot, the tail portion of the device, which preferably is comprised of a flexible wire, is bent relatively to the head portion so that the device assumes the general outline of a completed necktie knot. When said device is placed within the necktie knot, the head portion is positioned between the downcoming wider end of the tie and the outer circumscribing fold of the knot, and the tail portion is positioned within the knot between the downcoming wider and narrower ends of the tie, and the end of the tail portion is oriented towards the head portion and is positioned within the inner folds of the necktie knot. Another embodiment of the invention disclosed resides in a device of the same general type as indicated above, but in which the head-portion is U-shaped. The flexible tail portion is attached to the center part of the head portion. The head portion is made from a material which is at least semi-rigid at ambient temperatures. When this device is positioned within the knot of a necktie, the tail portion is bent relative to the head portion in such a way that the device assumes the general outline of a completed necktie knot; one leg of the U-shaped head portion is disposed within the knot in front of the downcoming wider and narrower ends of the necktie but behind the outer circumscribing fold of the knot, while the other leg of the U-shaped head portion is positioned behind the downcoming narrower end of the necktie; and the tail portion is positioned within the knot between the downcoming narrower and wider ends of the necktie, with the end of said tail portion being oriented toward the head portion of the device.

United States Patent Goba [ Apr.11,1972

[54] N ECKTIE KNOT-HOLDING DEVICE Herberts K. Goba, 307 Tegler Building, Edmonton 15, Alberta, Canada [22] Filed: May 28, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 41,295

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 37,391, May 11, 1970, abandoned, Continuation of Ser. No. 770,948, Oct. 28, 1968, abandoned.

[72] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl ..2/153 [51] Int. Cl. ..A43d 25/08 [58] Field ofSearch ..2/145, 152, 153, 150

Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Anomey-Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher [5 7] ABSTRACT According to one aspect of this invention, a device having two portions designated as a head portion and a tail portion is provided for maintaining a knot in a necktie. The tail portion of this device is longer than the head portion and is flexible. The head portion, in this aspect of the invention, may assume various configurations, and may be either rigid or flexible. Said device is insertable in the necktie knot before the latter is tightened; and when inserted in the knot, the tail portion of the device, which preferably is comprised of a flexible wire, is bent relatively to the head portion so that the device assumes the general outline of a completed necktie knot. When said device is placed within the necktie knot, the head portion is positioned between the downcoming wider end of the tie and the outer circumscribing fold of the knot, and the tail portion is positioned within the knot between the downcoming wider and narrower ends of the tie, and the end of the tail portion is oriented towards the head portion and is positioned within the inner folds of the necktie knot. Another embodiment of the invention disclosed resides in a device of the same general type as indicated above, but in which the head-portion is U-shaped. The flexible tail portion is attached to the center part of the head portion. The head portion is made from a material which is at least semi-rigid at ambient temperatures. When this device is positioned within the knot of a necktie, the tail portion is bent relative to the head portion in such a way that the device assumes the general outline of a completed necktie knot; one leg of the U-shaped head portion is disposed within the knot in front of the downcoming wider and narrower ends of the necktie but behind the outer circumscribing fold of the knot, while the other leg of the U-shaped head portion is positioned behind the downcoming narrower end of the necktie; and the tail portion is positioned within the knot between the downcoming narrower and wider ends of the necktie, with the end of said tail portion being oriented toward the head portion of the device.

25 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 1 1 I972 SHEET 1 UF 5 o .m o

mm mm PATENTEUAPR 11 m2 3 654, 6 3

sum 3 or 5 FIGJB FIG. 12

FIG. ll

PATENTEDAPR 11 I972 3, 654, 633

SHEETHUF 5 FIG.I4 FIG.I5

FATENTEDAPR 1 1 I972 SHEET 5 [1F 5 FIG.I9

NECKTIE KNOT-HOLDING DEVICE This is a Continuation-in-Part of Application Serial No. 37,391, filed May 1 l, 1970, and now abandoned; said application in turn being a stream-lined continuation of Application Serial No. 770,948, filed Oct. 28, 1968, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to a method and device for holding a necktie knot in place. More particularly, this invention relates to a device for securing a necktie knot, consisting of two portions, of which at least one portion is a flexible wire, and to the method of maintaining a necktie knot employing this device.

Neckties of the four-in-hand type, which are fastened by a slidable knot which is adjusted and tightened as desired around the collar of a wearers shirt to secure the necktie to the collar, represent an indispensable item of mens wearing apparel, and have been in universal use for many years. One characteristic of such neckties is that the knot, while the tie is being worn, frequently does not remain in place firmly around the shirt collar, but slides down the front of the shirt; this necessitates re-adjustment of the necktie knot to the desired position. It is often desirable, then, from the standpoint of neatness of appearance and of convenience, to hold a necktie knot in a fixed position, around a shirt collar, To this end, numerous means have been proposed for securing a necktie knot in position on a wearer.

Among such means which are known in the art are platelike members of the general outline of a necktie knot which are adapted to be inserted within the knot, usually containing projections or notches to enable the member to secure the knot in position. Examples of such necktie knot securing means are the devices described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,041,418 issued Oct. 15, 1912 to C.H. Borden and Canadian Pat. No. 530,663 to Elton E. Block.

Another type of knot-securing device known in the art, is one which comprises a generally tubular member which is adapted to fit within the folds of a necktie knot, said member normally containing one or more projections or recesses to aid in retaining it within the knot. For an example of this type of device, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No. 1,004,830, which issued on Oct. 3, 1911 to RM. Wadsworth; or to U.S. Pat. No. 1,438,885, which issued on Dec. 12, 1922 to J.M. Al media.

Still another type of necktie holding means comprises either a folded plate of generally triangular outline, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,363,783 of S.P. Hansen, or a form comprising two trough-shaped members hinged together which are adapted to secure a tie in position, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,269,017 ofM. Gladstone.

Many of the known devices for holding a necktie knot in place suffer from the disadvantage that they are inconvenient to use, in that they cannot be easily inserted into the knot. lndeed, with some of the prior art devices, the knot holding means cannot be inserted into an already formed knot; in such a case, the knot is formed around the device after the device in question is positioned as desired. Some of the necktie knotholders already known are relatively complex; this is an additional drawback with regard to their use.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an effective necktie knotholder which is both simple in construction and easy to use.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a method for securing a necktie knot in the position desired, employing a device which is simple in construction and easily insertable into the knot.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a necktie knotholding device essentially comprising a flexible wire bent so as to define two portions which are adapted to secure a necktie knot in the position desired, when in position within the knot.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a means comprising a head-piece of generally triangular form and a flexible wire tail portion, the head-piece and tail portion being adapted to secure a necktie knot when in position within the knot.

The present invention, in one broad aspect, resides in a device for maintaining the position of a knot in a necktie, which device essentially comprises at least two portions of unequal length, namely, a head portion and a flexible tail portion. At least one of these portions is made of a flexible material having a relatively large length to diameter ratio which is capable of being formed into a desired configuration, the tail portion of the device is longer than the head portion, and the aforesaid device is adapted for insertion into the knot of a necktie before the knot is tightened. This device, when inserted into the knot of a necktie, is characterized in that the tail portion is bent relative to the head portion in such a way that the device assumes the general outline of a completed necktie knot. The head portion of the device is disposed within the knot beneath the downcoming wider end of the necktie and the outer circumscribing fold of said knot, and the tail portion is positioned within the knot between the downcoming narrower and wider ends of the necktie, and in the same plane, relative to the wearer of the necktie, as the head portion of the device; and the end of the tail portion is bent toward said head portion and is positioned within the inner folds of the necktie knot.

According to another embodiment of this invention, the device comprises two portions as aforesaid, but in which one portion is a head-piece comprising a plate of generally triangular form and the tail portion comprises a flexible wire longer than the apex-to-base height of the triangular plate. This device is adapted for insertion into the knot of a necktie before said knot is tightened, and is characterized in that, when inserted into a necktie knot, the head-piece is covered by the downcoming wider end of the necktie and also by the outer circumscribing layer of the knot. The tail portion of the device is attached to the head-piece and when the aforesaid device is in position within a necktie knot, is bent in relation to said head-piece in such a manner that the device assumes the general outline of a completed necktie knot; said tail portion is positioned within the knot between the narrower end of the necktie and the wider end of said necktie, and in the same plane, relative to a wearer of the necktie, as the head-piece; and the end of the tail portion of the device is bent toward the head-piece and is disposed within the inner folds of the knot.

in a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a device for maintaining the position of a knot in a necktie, comprising a flexible wire bent in the general form of a V to define two portions of unequal length, viz., a head portion and a tail portion, in which the tail portion is longer than the head portion and is straight. The head portion has an enlargement at approximately its mid-point and is provided with a terminal hook for engaging the tail portion when the device in question is fastened. The device is adapted to be inserted into the knot of a necktie before the knot is tightened; and is characterized in that, when said device is inserted in a necktie knot, the head portion thereof is adjacent to and directly in front of the tail portion, and both the head portion and tail portion are positioned in the center of the knot between the narrower end of the necktie and the wider downcoming end of said necktie and are oriented in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tie. This device is adapted to be fastened by engaging the head and tail portions by means of the terminal hook provided on the head portion. With this device in place within a necktie knot, and after the knot is subsequently tightened, said device secures both the position of the knot relative to the collar of a wearers shirt, and the tightness of the knot.

According to yet a further embodiment of this invention, there is provided a device of the same general type as that of the first-mentioned embodiment, but in which the head portion is U-shaped; and the orientation of this form of the device, when it is in its final position within the necktie knot, is somewhat different from the orientation of the other forms of the device within said knot. This last-mentioned embodiment of the invention resides in a device comprising two portions of unequal length: a U-shaped head portion and a flexible tail portion. The tail portion is made of a flexible material having a relatively large length-to-diameter ratio, such as a flexible wire, which is capable of being formed into a desired configuration. Said tail portion is longer than the head portion and is attached to the center part of the U-shaped head portion, which is made of a material which is rigid or semi-rigid. In the initial configuration of the device, the head portion is in a plane different from that of the tail portion. When the device is positioned within a necktie knot, the tail portion is bent relative to the head portion in such a manner that the device assumes the general outline of a completed necktie knot, one leg of the U-shaped head portion being disposed within the knot in front of the downcoming wider and narrower ends of the necktie but behind the outer circumscribing fold of the knot, while the other leg of the U is positioned behind the downcoming narrower end of the necktie. The flexible tail portion is positioned within the knot between the downcoming narrower and wider ends of the necktie, and the end of the tail portion is bent toward the head portion and arranged within the inner folds of the knot.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example only various embodiments of this invention:

FIG. lais a diagram of an embodiment of this invention in the form of a flexible wire bent in the form of a 7;

FIG. lb is a diagram of an embodiment of this invention in the form of a flexible wire bent in the form of a 7" and wherein the head portion is slightly curved rather than being straight;

FIG. 1c is a diagram of an embodiment of this invention in the form of a flexible wire device in which the head portion assumes one type of convoluted configuration;

FIG. 1d is a diagram of an embodiment of this invention in the form of a flexible wire device in which the head portion assumes another type of convoluted configuration;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the bent wire device of FIG. 1a when it is in its final position within the necktie knot;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the bent wire device of FIG. la when it is in its final position within the necktie knot;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the devices of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of another aspect of the present invention, showing this device in position within the necktie knot;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of a further aspect of this invention, the device being shown in position within the necktie knot;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of a modification of the device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the device of FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of still another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the device illustrated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a front elevation of the necktie knot-securing device of FIGS. 10 and 11, illustrating the device in its final position within the knot of the necktie;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the device of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view, partially in perspective, of one form of the device of a further embodiment of this invention, in its initial configuration;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view, partially in perspective, of another form of the device illustrated in FIG. 14, in its initial configuration, the head portion being a bar, strip, lamina or the like of stiff material bent in the shape of a U;

FIG. 16 is a front elevation, partially in perspective, showing the relationship of the device of FIG. 14 to the downcoming narrow end of a necktie;

FIG. 17 is a front elevation, partially in perspective, showing the relationship of the device of FIG. 14 to the narrower and wider ends of the necktie in the initial stages of forming the necktie knot;

FIG. 18 is a front elevation of the device of FIG. 15, when it is in its final position within the necktie knot, a portion of the knot being broken away to show the arrangement of the device within the knot; and

FIG. 19 is a side elevation of the device of FIG. 18.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the improved necktie knot-holding device of one broad aspect of this invention, comprises a flexible material, preferably a flexible wire 10, bent in such manner as to define two portions, namely a head portion 11 and a flexible tail portion 12 of length greater than the head portion. In its simplest form the device of this aspect of this invention is a flexible wire bent in the form of a 7" as shown in FIG. 1a. However, the head and tail portions of the device need not be straight. In particular, the head portion 11 may be bent so as to assume various configurations. Forms of the device in which the head portion 11 is bent in various ways are illustrated inFIG. lb (where the head portion 11 is slightly curved), FIG. 1c (where the head portion 1 1 assumes one type of convolution) and FIG. 1d (where the head portion 11 assumes another type of convolution). Any suitable type of wire may be employed for the necktie knotholder of various aspects of this invention; for example, insulated No. 12 gauge electrical wire has been found to be quire satisfactory for this purpose.

In another embodiment of this invention, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 the device of this invention comprises a head-piece 13 consisting of a plate of generally triangular form, to which is attached a tail portion 14 consisting of a flexible wire longer than the apex-to-base height of the head-piece 13. The headpiece 13, when the device is in position in the necktie knot, is covered by the downcoming wide end 15 of a necktie l6 and the outer circular layer 17 of the knot 18. The triangular headpiece 13 can be permanently connected to the tail portion 14 of the device, or the head-piece and tail portion may be separable. In the latter case, the head-piece 13 may be exchanged for a different head-piece. The head-piece 13 may be made of metal, plastic or any suitable material, and if desired, it could be covered with cloth of a colour to match that of the necktie 16.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the necktie knotsecuring device of the present invention. In this embodiment, the device comprises a head-piece l3 and a tail portion 14 as in FIG. 4, but in which the head-piece comprises a plate having a main portion 19 of generally triangular form which has an extension or prolongation 10 thereto. When the device is in position for holding the necktie knot in place, the main portion 19 of the head-piece is covered by the downcoming wide end 15 of the necktie 16 and the outer circumscribing layer 17 of the knot 18. The prolongation 20 of the head-piece extends below knot 18 beneath the wider end 15 of the necktie 16.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a necktie knot-securing device similar to that of FIG. 7, but in which the prolongation 20 of the headpiece 13 is equipped with a hook or catch 21 for engaging the tail portion 14 of the device when the device is in position for holding the necktie knot 18 in place. FIG. 9 shows clearly this embodiment of the invention, wherein the terminal hook 21 attached to the prolongation 20 of the head-piece 13 engages the tail portion 14 of the device, which is in its final position for securing the necktie knot 18.

In a further embodiment, the present invention may comprise a device similar to those shown in FIGS. 7-9, but in which the prolongation 20 of the head-piece 13 has attached thereto a means (not shown in the drawings) for forming and holding a dimple in the necktie 16 immediately below the knot 18. Any suitable dimple-forming means known in the art may be used for this purpose such as, for example, the device described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,644,163, which issued on Oct. 22, I951 to LB. Guaschino.

The present invention, in yet another embodiment, may include a device similar to those shown in FIGS. 79, but in which the prolongation 20 of the head-piece is equipped with a clasp (not shown) for engaging the narrow end 23 of the necktie 16, in order to ensure more definitely the position of the necktie knot 18 with respect to a dress shirt collar. The aforesaid clasp could be attached also to the tail portion 14 of the device; but such a device would be less desirable, since the presence of the clasp would render the tail portion 14 less flexible, which would in turn make it more difficult to insert the device into the knot.

FIGS. -13 illustrate still another aspect of the present invention. In this aspect, there is provided a modified device for securing a necktie knot, comprising a flexible wire 30 bent in the general form of a V" to define two portions of unequal length, namely a head portion 31 and a tail portion 32 of length greater than that of the head portion 31. The tail portion 32 is thus longer than the head portion 31 and is straight. The head portion 31 of the device has an enlarged mid-portion 33 and is provided with a terminal hook 34 for engaging the tail portion 32 when the device is in its final position within a necktie knot. As can be seen from FIGS. 10 and 12, the enlarged mid-portion 33 is expanded in both horizontal and vertical planes, with respect to the head portion 31 of the necktie knot-retaining device of this aspect of the invention. This expanded mid-portion serves to maintain the foregoing device, which may be designated as a hidden necktie pin, in position within necktie knot 18 after insertion therein, and more especially it serves to prevent the rotation of the pin around either the tail portion 32 or the head portion 31 thereof, after the pin has been fastened by engaging the head portion 31 and tail portion 32 by means of hook 34.

The method of securing a necktie knot using the necktie knot-retaining devices of various aspects of this invention as illustrated in various forms in FIGS. la, 1b, 1c, 1d, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12 of the drawings and as previously described in general terms in securing a necktie knot in position, is similar for these various forms, and will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 using the basic device as shown in FIG. la. The necktie knot 18 is formed in the conventional manner, but before the knot is tightened, the device which, for convenience, may be considered as being the flexible wire 10, is inserted therein. The flexible wire 10 is held by the head portion 11, and the tail portion 12 is pushed gently through knot 18 along the narrow end 22 of the necktie 16 and in front of the narrow end 22. The narrow end 22 of the necktie 16 at this stage is still straight in one line, and the tail portion 12 of device 10 passes very readily through the knot. The tail portion 12 thus comes out of the knot 18 at the bottom thereof and behind the broader end of the necktie 16. The tail portion 12 is now grasped and pulled down as far as it will go. The head portion 11 is then turned, permitting it to be hidden easily behind the broad part 15 of the necktie 16 at the top of knot 18. Knot 18 is now tightened in the usual manner to the tightness desired. The tail portion 12 is then bent towards head portion 11 and in the same plane as said head portion first to the side, then upwardly. The end 23 of tail portion 12 formed by the bending of said tail portion 12 is thereby hidden within the inner folds 24 of knot 18 (as illustrated clearly in FIG. 4). The sideward bending of tail portion 12 is effected as high, (i.e. as close to the head portion 11) as the knot 18 permits. The necktie knot 18 is finally adjusted to the position desired.

The embodiment of the necktie knot-securing device of this invention as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 may be used for holding a necktie knot in position in a manner similar to that for the basic device shown in in FIG. 1a and as described above with respect to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The flexible tail portion 14 is pushed through knot 18, before the knot is tightened, along, and in front of the narrow end 22 of necktie 16, as far as it will go. The head-piece 13 is then inserted into knot 18 under the downcoming wide end 15 of the necktie 16 and the outer circumscribing layer 17 of said knot 18, and its position is adjusted within the knot 18 until the head-piece 13 is hidden in the folds 24 of the knot 18. The end portion 25 of the tail portion 14 is then bent towards the head-piece 13 in a manner similar to that employed for the basic device of FIG. 1a, to assume the final form of the device as shown in FIG. 5.

If the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 is used, the headpiece 13 is positioned after insertion into the knot 18 so that the main portion 19 thereof is hidden within the knot 18 and the prolongation 20 thereof extends below the knot 18 under the downcoming wider end 15 of the necktie 16. The knot is then tightened as desired.

If the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is used, wherein the end of the prolongation 20 of head-piece 13 has attached thereto a hook 21, it is not necessary to bend the tail portion 14 backwards towards the head-piece 13. In such case, the tail portion 14 is secured to the head-piece 13 by means of hook 21. After the device is adjusted within the knot 18 to its final position, as shown in FIG. 9, necktie knot 18 is adjusted to the desired position with relation to the shirt collar of the wearer.

The manner in which the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10-13, may be used to secure a necktie knot in a desired position, will not be described. The use of this device, which may be called a hidden necktie pin," is similar to that of the bent wire embodiment of the device shown in FIG. la. The necktie knot 18 is formed in the usual manner, but before the knot 18 is tightened, the device of FIGS. 10 and 11, i.e., the necktie pin, is inserted and put into place within the knot 18. The tail portion 32 of this pin is first pushed through knot 18 along the narrow end 22 of necktie l6 and in front of the narrow end 22. To facilitate the insertion of tail portion 32 of the pin, the tip of the narrow end 22 of the necktie 16 is kept tight, and the wider end 15 of the necktie 16 is pulled slightly back out of the knot 18. When the tail portion 32 has been inserted into the knot 18, the head portion 31 is also inserted into said knot, just beneath the wider end 15 of the necktie 16 which in turn is under the outer circumscribing fold 17 of knot 18. The head portion 31 and the tail portion 32 of the pin are now adjacent to each other, with no folds of the necktie knot therebetween. Now the pin is adjusted so as to position it in the middle of knot 18, with the head portion 31 directly in front of tail portion 32, and both head and tail portions of said pin point along the longitudinal axis of the tie. The pin is then held firm while knot 18 is tightened and adjusted to the desired position with relation to the shirt collar of the wearer. Finally the pin is fastened within the knot by engaging tail portion 32 with head portion 31 by means of the terminal hook 34 provided on the head portion 31 of the pin.

With the use of the above device, the necktie may be removed from the wearer and reapplied by pulling the knot along the narrow end of said necktie without dissolving the knot. The pin holds the knot in the same shape and maintains the same degree of tightness as that originally attained when it was first placed in position within the knot. When the necktie is in the desired position on the wearer, the in provides sufficient pressure to prevent the knot from slipping out of position.

Still another embodiment of my invention is illustrated in FIGS. 14l9 of the drawings; and the device according to said embodiment, and the manner in which it may be used to secure a necktie knot in a desired position on a wearer will now be described in detail with reference to these Figures.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15 of the drawings, the device 36 comprises a flexible tail portion 38, which initially is straight, and a U-shaped head portion 40 which is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material. The legs 42 and 44 of the head portion are in the same plane relative to each other but are in a plane different from that of tail portion 38. Tail portion 38 which is preferably made of a flexible wire, is, as can be seen from the drawings, considerably longer than the head portion. The tail portion is attached to the center part 46 of the head portion 40. In its initial configuration the device may suitably take the form ofa figure 7.

Head portion 40 may be formed from heavy wire or from semi-rigid plastic material into the shape of a U, to constitute a head portion such as shown in FIG. 14. Or the head portion may comprise a bar, strip, lamina or the like of rigid or semirigid material which has been bent or formed into the shape of a U, as shown in FIG. 15. The head portion may be made from any suitable plastically deformable material, such as a metal or plastic material, which, however, should not be flexible at ordinary temperatures.

As aforesaid, tail portion 38 of the device is made of a flexible material, and preferably is a flexible wire. Any suitable type of wire may be employed for this purpose; for example,

insulated No. 12 gauge electrical wire has been found to be quite satisfactory. The tail portion of the device according to this embodiment of my invention, and also of previously described aspects of the invention, as depicted in FIGS. 1-9, need not necessarily be composed of a metal wire; it could be made up of a cord, strand or thread of any durable, tough thermoplastic or fibrous material such as, e.g. nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or the like. It is to be understood however, that, while the tail portion of the device of this invention, in its various illustrated embodiments, must be flexible in the sense that it can be readily bent or shaped into a desired configuration within a necktie knot, it must have suflicient rigidity to remain in the configuration into which it is bent or formed after the knot is tied. Preferably tail portion 38 is permanently joined or connected to head portion 40 at position 46, such as by welding (in the case of the two portions of the device being made of metal) or heatsealing; however, the tail portion and head portion can also be separable. In the latter event, tail portion 38 can be detachably joined to head portion 40 by any suitable arrangement which, it is believed, would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

In forming a necktie knot using the device of the present invention, the device (36) is first arranged with respect to narrow portion 22 of the necktie, as shown in FIG. 16. The narrow portion of the tie is inserted between the two legs 42 and 44 of the head portion 40, so that leg 44 extends across narrow portion 22 of the necktie in front of said narrow portion, while the other leg 42 extends across this portion of the tie and behind it. Tail portion 38 of the device extends diagonally along, and in front of, the narrower portion of the tie.

The wider end 15 of the necktie is then drawn through the U-shaped head portion 40 in front of narrow portion 22, and also in front of that part of tail portion 38 adjacent the point where it is joined to the head portion of the device, as shown in FIG. 17. The necktie knot 18 (see FIG. 18) is then formed in the conventional manner. While the knot is being formed the tail portion of the device is held with a finger or fingers against narrow portion 22 of the tie, leaving sufficient space for tying the knot. Or alternatively, the device can be held in place while forming the knot 18 by holding head portion 40 in the position indicated in FIG. 17. When the knot 18 has been formed, both the downcoming wider and narrower ends of the necktie pass between legs 42 and 44 of the head portion, while tail portion 38 is disposed between the narrower and wider portions of the tie, and the circumscribing outer fold 17 of the knot is in front of, and covers, leg 44 of the head portion of the device.

Knot 18 is then tightened in the usual manner to the tightness desired. The end 48 of the tail portion, which at this stage projects below the knot, is then bent towards the head portion 40 first to the side, then upwardly. End 48 formed by the bending of tail portion 38 is thereby hidden within the inner folds 24 of the necktie knot, as shown in FIG. 19. If necessary, because of the length of tail portion 38, end 48 can be again bent in a direction away from head portion 40, as depicted in FIG. 18. In any case, the tail portion of the device, after it has been bent as aforesaid, is adjusted so that it is entirely within the necktie knot, and positioned between the downcoming wide and narrower portions of the tie. Necktie knot 18 is finally adjusted to the position desired with relation to the shirt collar of the wearer.

The device of the present invention, in its various depicted embodiments, secures a necktie knot in the position desired on a wearer as long as one wishes, and maintains the knot practically in the same degree of tightness as that originally attained when said device was first placed in position in the knot, after repeated sliding of the knot along the narrow portion of the necktie. With the use of such a device, the necktie may be repeatedly removed from a wearer and subsequently re-applied by pulling the knot along the narrower portion 22 of said necktie without dissolving the knot. The device may be made in different colours if desired, to match those of the necktie in those few areas where the device could become visible. As a rule, however, all parts of the device are well hidden either in the knot or behind the collar of the wearers shirt.

While the present invention has been particularly described with reference to certain specific embodiments as illustrated in the drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Numerous variations in details of construction, forms of the device, etc. are possible, and may be envisaged by those skilled in the art. This invention as contemplated, therefore, is not to be limited to the specific embodiments herein disclosed, but is intended to embrace all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. In a conventional necktie knot of the four-in-hand type, a device for maintaining the tightness of said necktie knot and its position relative to the collar of a wearers shirt, said device essentially comprising at least two portions of unequal length, namely, a head portion and a flexible tail portion, at least one of said portions being made of a flexible material having a relatively large length-to-diameter ratio which material is capable of being formed into a desired configuration, the tail portion being longer than said head portion; said device being adapted for insertion into the already formed knot of a necktie prior to tightening of said knot; said device, when inserted into said already formed knot of a necktie, being characterized in that the tail portion is bent relative to said head portion such that the device assumes the general outline of a complete necktie knot; said head portion of the device being disposed within the knot beneath the downcoming wider end of the necktie and the outer circumscribing fold of said knot, and said tail portion being positioned within the knot between the downcoming narrower and wider ends of the necktie and in the same plane, relative to a wearer of the necktie, as the head portion; and the end of the tail portion being bent toward said head portion and being positioned within the inner folds of the necktie knot.

2. The device of claim 1 when made from a flexible wire bent in such manner as to form said head portion and said tail portion.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the wire, in its initial configuration, is bent in the form of a 7."

4. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the head portion is convoluted.

5. In a conventional necktie knot of the four-in-hand type, a device for maintaining the tightness of said necktie knot and its position relative to the collar of a wearers shirt, said device comprising a headpiece including a triangular plate, and a tail portion longer than the apex-to-base height of said triangular plate, said device being adapted for insertion into the already formed knot of a necktie prior to tightening of said knot; and characterized in that, when the device is inserted into said already formed necktie knot, said head-piece is covered by the downcoming wider end of said necktie and also by the outer circumscribing layer of the necktie knot, said tail portion being attached to the head-piece and being bent in relation thereto in such a manner that the device assumes the general outline of a completed necktie knot, the tail portion being positioned within the knot between the narrower end of the necktie and the wider end of said necktie and in the same plane, relative to a wearer of the necktie, as the head-piece, and the end of said tail portion being bent toward said headpiece and being disposed within the inner folds of the necktie knot.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the head-piece essentially comprises a triangular plate.

7. A device as in claim 5, in which the head-piece is permanently connected to the tail portion.

8. A device as in claim 5, in which the head-piece and the tail portion are separable.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein the head-piece is made of plastic.

10. The device of claim 6 wherein the head piece is made of metal.

11. The device of claim 5, wherein the head-piece comprises a plate having a main portion of generally triangular form and a prolongation thereto, said main portion of said plate being covered by the wider end of the necktie and also by the outer circumscribing layer of the necktie knot and said prolongation extending below said knot beneath the wider end of the necktie when said device is in position for maintaining the necktie knot.

12. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein the prolongation of the head-piece is equipped with a hook for engaging said tail portion.

13. A device as defined in claim 11, wherein the head-piece and the tail portion are separable.

14. A device as defined in claim 11, wherein the prolongation of the head-piece is equipped with a means for forming and securing a dimple in the necktie immediately below the knot.

15. A device as defined in claim 11, wherein the prolongation of the head-piece has attached thereto a clasp for engaging the narrow end of the necktie.

16. A device for maintaining a knot in a necktie, comprising a flexible wire bent in the general form of a V" to define two portions of unequal length, namely a head portion and a tail portion, said tail portion being longer than said head portion and being straight; said head portion having an enlargement at approximately its mid-point and being provided with a terminal hook for engaging the tail portion when said device is fastened; said device being adapted to be inserted into the knot of the necktie before said knot is tightened; and characterized in that, when said device is inserted in a necktie knot, the head portion thereof is adjacent to and directly in front of the tail portion, and both the head portion and tail portion of said device are positioned in the center of the knot between the narrower end of the necktie and wider downcoming end of said necktie and are oriented in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said necktie; said device being adapted to be fastened by engaging the head and tail portions by means of said terminal hook, whereby, when said device is positioned within a necktie knot and after the necktie knot is subsequently tightened, said device secures both the position of the knot relative to the collar of a wearers shirt and the tightness of said knot.

17. A device for maintaining a knot in a necktie, essentially comprising two portions of unequal length, namely, a U- shaped head portion and a flexible tail portion, said tail portion being made of a flexible material having a relatively large length-to-diameter ratio which material is capable of being formed into a desired configuration; the tail portion being longer than the head portion and being attached to the center part of said head portion; the head portion being formed from a material which is at least semi-rigid at ambient temperatures; said device, when positioned within the knot of a necktie, being characterized in that the tail portion is bent relative to said head portion such that the device assumes the general outline of a completed necktie knot; one leg of the U-shaped head portion being disposed within the knot in front of the downcoming wider and narrower ends of the necktie but behind the outer circumscribing fold of said knot, and the other leg of said U-shaped head portion being positioned behind the downcoming narrower end of the necktie; said tail portion being positioned within the knot between the downcoming narrower and wider ends of the necktie, and the end of said tail portion being bent toward said head portion and being disposed within the inner folds of the necktie knot.

18. The device of claim 17 in which the tail portion comprises a flexible wire.

19. The device of claim 17 in which the head portion comprises a length of heavy wire bent in the shape of a U.

20. The device of claim 17 wherein the head portion comprises a bar or strip of material which is at least semi-rigid at ambient temperatures, which has been bent in the shape of a U.

21. A device as defined in claim 17 wherein the head portion is made of metal.

22. A device as defined in claim 17 wherein the head portion is made of a tough, normally inflexible plastic.

23. The device of claim 17 wherein the tail portion is permanently joined to the head portion.

24. The device of claim 17 wherein the tail portion is detachably connected to the head portion.

25. The device of claim 17 wherein the tail portion comprises a cord or strand of a tough thermoplastic material. 

1. In a conventional necktie knot of the four-in-hand type, a device for maintaining the tightness of said necktie knot and its position relative to the collar of a wearer''s shirt, said device essentially comprising at least two portions of unequal length, namely, a head portion and a flexible tail portion, at least one of said portions being made of a flexible material having a relatively large length-to-diameter ratio which material is capable of being formed into a desired configuration, the tail portion being longer than said head portion; said device being adapted for insertion into the already formed knot of a necktie prior to tightening of said knot; said device, when inserted into said already formed knot of a necktie, being characterized in that the tail portion is bent relative to said head portion such that the device assumes the general outline of a complete necktie knot; said head portion of the device being disposed within the knot beneath the downcoming wider end of the necktie and the outer circumscribing fold of said knot, and said tail portion being positioned within the knot between the downcoming narrower and wider ends of the necktie and in the same plane, relative to a wearer of the necktie, as the head portion; and the end of the tail portion being bent toward said head portion and being positioned within the inner folds of the necktie knot.
 2. The device of claim 1 when made from a flexible wire bent in such manner as to form said head portion and said tail portion.
 3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the wire, in its initial configuration, is bent in the form of a ''''7.''''
 4. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the head portion is convoluted.
 5. In a conventional necktie knot of the four-in-hand type, a device for maintaining the tightness of said necktie knot and its position relative to the collar of a wearer''s shirt, said device comprising a headpiece including a triangular plate, and a tail portion longer than The apex-to-base height of said triangular plate, said device being adapted for insertion into the already formed knot of a necktie prior to tightening of said knot; and characterized in that, when the device is inserted into said already formed necktie knot, said head-piece is covered by the downcoming wider end of said necktie and also by the outer circumscribing layer of the necktie knot, said tail portion being attached to the head-piece and being bent in relation thereto in such a manner that the device assumes the general outline of a completed necktie knot, the tail portion being positioned within the knot between the narrower end of the necktie and the wider end of said necktie and in the same plane, relative to a wearer of the necktie, as the head-piece, and the end of said tail portion being bent toward said head-piece and being disposed within the inner folds of the necktie knot.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein the head-piece essentially comprises a triangular plate.
 7. A device as in claim 5, in which the head-piece is permanently connected to the tail portion.
 8. A device as in claim 5, in which the head-piece and the tail portion are separable.
 9. The device of claim 6 wherein the head-piece is made of plastic.
 10. The device of claim 6 wherein the head piece is made of metal.
 11. The device of claim 5, wherein the head-piece comprises a plate having a main portion of generally triangular form and a prolongation thereto, said main portion of said plate being covered by the wider end of the necktie and also by the outer circumscribing layer of the necktie knot and said prolongation extending below said knot beneath the wider end of the necktie when said device is in position for maintaining the necktie knot.
 12. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein the prolongation of the head-piece is equipped with a hook for engaging said tail portion.
 13. A device as defined in claim 11, wherein the head-piece and the tail portion are separable.
 14. A device as defined in claim 11, wherein the prolongation of the head-piece is equipped with a means for forming and securing a dimple in the necktie immediately below the knot.
 15. A device as defined in claim 11, wherein the prolongation of the head-piece has attached thereto a clasp for engaging the narrow end of the necktie.
 16. A device for maintaining a knot in a necktie, comprising a flexible wire bent in the general form of a ''''V'''' to define two portions of unequal length, namely a head portion and a tail portion, said tail portion being longer than said head portion and being straight; said head portion having an enlargement at approximately its mid-point and being provided with a terminal hook for engaging the tail portion when said device is fastened; said device being adapted to be inserted into the knot of the necktie before said knot is tightened; and characterized in that, when said device is inserted in a necktie knot, the head portion thereof is adjacent to and directly in front of the tail portion, and both the head portion and tail portion of said device are positioned in the center of the knot between the narrower end of the necktie and wider downcoming end of said necktie and are oriented in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said necktie; said device being adapted to be fastened by engaging the head and tail portions by means of said terminal hook, whereby, when said device is positioned within a necktie knot and after the necktie knot is subsequently tightened, said device secures both the position of the knot relative to the collar of a wearer''s shirt and the tightness of said knot.
 17. A device for maintaining a knot in a necktie, essentially comprising two portions of unequal length, namely, a U-shaped head portion and a flexible tail portion, said tail portion being made of a flexible material having a relatively large length-to-diameter ratio which material is capable of being formed into a desired configuration; the tail portion being longer thAn the head portion and being attached to the center part of said head portion; the head portion being formed from a material which is at least semi-rigid at ambient temperatures; said device, when positioned within the knot of a necktie, being characterized in that the tail portion is bent relative to said head portion such that the device assumes the general outline of a completed necktie knot; one leg of the U-shaped head portion being disposed within the knot in front of the downcoming wider and narrower ends of the necktie but behind the outer circumscribing fold of said knot, and the other leg of said U-shaped head portion being positioned behind the downcoming narrower end of the necktie; said tail portion being positioned within the knot between the downcoming narrower and wider ends of the necktie, and the end of said tail portion being bent toward said head portion and being disposed within the inner folds of the necktie knot.
 18. The device of claim 17 in which the tail portion comprises a flexible wire.
 19. The device of claim 17 in which the head portion comprises a length of heavy wire bent in the shape of a U.
 20. The device of claim 17 wherein the head portion comprises a bar or strip of material which is at least semi-rigid at ambient temperatures, which has been bent in the shape of a U.
 21. A device as defined in claim 17 wherein the head portion is made of metal.
 22. A device as defined in claim 17 wherein the head portion is made of a tough, normally inflexible plastic.
 23. The device of claim 17 wherein the tail portion is permanently joined to the head portion.
 24. The device of claim 17 wherein the tail portion is detachably connected to the head portion.
 25. The device of claim 17 wherein the tail portion comprises a cord or strand of a tough thermoplastic material. 